Slow Cooker Ground Turkey Spinach Pepper Jack Casserole

You need to add this simple recipe to your meal rotation.  Ground turkey and spinach make it super healthy and the pepper jack cheese gives it a nice kick.  It will quickly become a favorite recipe of the whole family! 

Cooking with fat free ground turkey allows you to skip browning the meat in advance  Less dishes to wash, less messes to clean! Easy meals are just the best!

Are you on team No-Advanced-Cooking with me?  If you are, check out these other delicious ground turkey recipes (and ground chicken too!): ground turkey tacos, Buffalo chicken sloppy Joes, and Asian chicken spring rolls.  None of these require advanced cooking.  

📝Shopping list

To make this healthy ground turkey recipe you will need:

• ground turkey - fat free is best when you are not browning it in advance
• mushrooms - button or baby bellas, sliced
• onion - one medium diced onion add just the right amount of flavor 
• beef broth - for moisture and flavor
• flour - to help thicken the dish
• beef soup mix - you can use powdered granules or even a bouillon cube 
• garlic powder - because it's delicious on everything 😉
• salt and pepper - to taste if you feel it's needed
• pepper Jack cheese - this should be shredded.  Some will get mixed in and some will be melted on top.
• fresh baby spinach - you can use frozen in a pinch, but it would have to be defrosted and thoroughly drained

🔪How to make it

Preparing Your Slow Cooker

Prepare your slow cooker by coating it with a non-stick agent of some sort. You can use a nonstick cooking spray or oil of choice. 

NOTE:  Some slow cookers come with a nonstick surface.  Many of these models still recommend using a nonstick agent, but suggest using an oil rather than a spray. 

Alternatively, you can choose to use a slow cooker liner.  

Cooking

• 🍗Add all ingredients on the list, other than spinach and cheese, into your slow cooker.  Use a spoon or spatula to break up the uncooked, ground turkey.  If you don't, it will cook in a solid chunk.  
• 🍗, be careful not to mix it up too much.  Ground turkey that is stirred too long can become mushy.   
• 🍗 your slow cooker ground turkey casserole dish on low until the turkey is cooked through.  Turkey is safe to eat once it reaches 165℉.  This generally takes me about 3-4 hours on the low heat setting.
• 🍗If you are crunched for time, your turkey spinach pepper jack casserole can cook on high heat for 1.5 - 2 hours.  Turkey can go from cooked to overcooked more quickly this way. Therefore, keeping a closer eye on it the first time you try it out is important.  
• 🍗 15 minutes prior to serving, stir in cheese and then spinach.  At first, it will feel as though you are adding too much spinach. However, spinach shrinks tremendously as it cooks.  
• 🍗 and cook on low until cheese is fully melted and spinach is wilted.  This takes me about 15 minutes or so.  
• 🍗Serve promptly and enjoy!

🍽Serving suggestions

One of the best things about this amazing crock pot dish is how many delicious serving options there are. Here are some favorites:

• Top with sour cream and sliced green onions.  
• Garnish with diced fresh cilantro, diced green chiles, red pepper flakes, or a squeeze of fresh lime juice.  
• Serve over white rice, brown rice, shredded hash browns, pasta, or riced cauliflower.  
•  Stuffing the turkey mixture into crunchy raw bell peppers is another great idea.
•  Wrapping this ground turkey mixture in lettuce wraps is also a great way to serve it!
• This delicious recipe is great when served wrapped in flour tortillas.
• Finally, try serving in a large bowl on game day with tortilla chips for a fun finger food option.  

🔁Substitutions

• If you prefer this dish mild, substitute monterey jack, sharp cheddar cheese, or mozzarella cheese for the pepper jack. 
• Ground chicken or ground beef can be used in place of ground turkey.  If you choose lean ground beef, it should be browned first and the fat drained before adding it to your slow cooker. 
• Try using onion or chicken broth in place of beef broth for a slightly different flavor.  

Storing leftovers

Store leftovers of this family favorite in an airtight container.  It will last 3-4 days in the refrigerator or about 4 months in the freezer.  

Frozen leftovers should be allowed to defrost in the refrigerator for about 24 hours before reheating.  They can then be easily reheated in the microwave.  

😉Hints & hacks

1. Using a slow cooker liner is an optional step. I like to purchase my liners in bulk for a less expensive per-piece price
2. Use a meat thermometer for confirmation that ground turkey is safe to eat. According to the FDA, turkey is ready to eat when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F
3. Store leftovers in meal-sized portions for easy, next day reheat-and-eat.
4. This slow cooker ground turkey recipe is perfect to double for a crowd. Just double all ingredients in the same proportions.  Do not change the cooking time. 
5. While freshly shredded cheese melts best, I make this turkey spinach pepper jack casserole with the pre-shredded kind too.  Pre-shredded makes this easy recipe the perfect option for quick dinner prep. 
6. In the market for a new slow cooker? I love mine!
7. Always double check to make sure your slow cooker is on and plugged in!!! Coming home to a cold slow cooker is the worst feeling ever!